Swim Lessons

The younger 4 kids started a 2-week session of swim lessons yesterday.  They had a blast.  They are all eager to progress in swimming, especially now that big sister, Jersey #1, is getting a lot of attention for the way she is progressing on the swim team.  

I usually like putting the kids in swim lessons.  It is nice to see how much they learn in those 2 weeks.  Last summer, we did not pursue lessons, and just bought a family swim pass to the city pools instead.  This summer, I wanted to return them to on session of lessons, and see how their swim skills measure up.  

I was nervous about Jersey #5.  He loves to swim.  He is fearless.  He can't swim, but that doesn't stop him from letting go and sinking underwater anyway.  Repeatedly.  Two summers ago, he and I did a parent/tot swim class together.  He was too insecure for the preschool class, even with his sister, Jersey #4, in the same class.  She completed the preschool class without him.  Technically, I should have enrolled him in the preschool class this summer.  But, I was concerned that he would not cooperate.  The preschool class spends a lot of time on the ledge of the pool, entering the water individually with the lifeguard instructor's assistance.  I was afraid my fearless, water-loving 3-year old would just continue to dive into the water, instead of waiting on the ledge.

Last Spring, I noticed he could stand in the 3-foot section of the pool.  That gave me the idea to enroll him in the first level of the child swim lessons class.  When I went to register the kids, the lifeguard pointed out that the preschool class was for ages 3-5.  I told him that Jersey #5 was really large for his age, and fearless in the water, so I thought it was best to start him in Level 1 instead.  The lifeguard thought that was a fine plan.  I was nervous to see if Jersey #5 would cooperate.  I had visions of him crying, or ignoring the lifeguards, or refusing to participate.

Apparently, I had nothing to worry about.  He went over to the side of the pool with his class, and sat right down with the other kids (including his sister who is in the same class).  He was all smiles the entire time.  Any time that the instructor mentioned they would go underwater and hold their breath, Jersey #5 demonstrated by immediately submerging.  He listened well enough to keep hold of the wall when he was suppose to.  It was a good day in class.  I am impressed that I did not have to rescue him at all.  (I had to rescue Jersey #3 when he was in the Level 1 swim class, because he dove off the wall when the lifeguard was not looking).  

Jersey #4 enjoyed her Level 1 class too.  She is anxious to swim on her own.  She proved to me that same evening that she can dog paddle her way for about 8 yards.  When we go to recreation swim, she wants to swim without her life jacket now.

She held her breath for 6 seconds.

I am going to have to move Jersey #3 up a level.  It appears that he did not waste any time progressing, even though he did not do lessons last summer.  He is another fearless fish of a child.  He found his Level 2 class to be boring.  He already knew how to float like a turtle, and how to kick with the kickboard.  I had told him and Jersey #2 that if they would learn to front crawl or backstroke one 25 meter length of the pool, then they can join the swim team next summer.  Jersey #3 has taken that challenge to heart.  He can now swim one length, on his back.  I am hoping that moving him up to the Level 3 class will help him learn better form for his strokes.  

Jersey #2 is in the Level 3 class.  That seems like a good fit for her, but she is worried that her brother may pass her up.  I have a feeling she is going to have a tough time with that for many sports, because Jersey #3 is naturally athletic anyway.  

Jersey #2 is determined to learn how to swim a lap in the pool, even if the pool depth goes over her head.  I keep trying to convince her that since she can swim, she really can swim in any depth.  But, the 5 foot section of the pool scares her.  She is focusing her attention on learning the arm strokes and breathing for the front crawl, so I think she is going to progress real well this summer.

I took swim lessons as a child, and loved it.  My Dad wanted us to learn to swim properly, with good stroke technique.  I joined the high school swim team, my Junior year of high school.  I worked as a lifeguard in high school and college.  I am hoping that my kids will develop strong swimming skills, and enjoy swim teams and possibly lifeguarding too.